Fund helps Catholic Charities give hope to homeless

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

Every evening at 6, there's an important lottery drawing in Fort Collins. That's the time homeless people gather at the Catholic Charities Mission on Linden Center Drive, hoping their names will be drawn for a place to sleep that night.

There are only a few available sleeping spots each evening, so most of the hopefuls are disappointed. Recently, one young man came to the Mission every night for two and one-half weeks before his name was drawn in the lottery. And, since Oct. 1, more than 200 people have been turned away from the shelter according to Glenn Good, Catholic Charities regional director for Larimer County.

Even getting to sleep inside doesn't necessarily mean a nice, warm bed. There are separate dorm rooms for men and women with a total of 24 beds, plus four rooms for families. But there are generally 50 to 55 clients at the shelter each night, so those not assigned dorm beds sleep on mats on the floor. Both the dining room and the TV room are used as overflow areas.

Catholic Charities of Larimer County, a United Way agency, is one of eight charities chosen this year to benefit from the Northern Colorado Empty Stocking Fund. Now in its fourth year, this community effort raises money to support people in crisis and others who are working to attain self-sufficiency.

The eight agencies are all facing similar issues in this economic downturn. "The need has increased, but resources have declined," Good commented.

For instance, Catholic Charities served 65,000 meals last year in its hospitality kitchen; this year, it expects to serve 90,000 – a 38 percent increase. "The help from the Empty Stocking Fund is invaluable in serving these 90,000 meals," Good said.

The Empty Stocking project is sponsored by El Pomar Foundation, based in Colorado Springs. Local donations to the fund get some extra kick from the foundation, which matches one dollar for each three dollars raised.

In the past three years, the project has raised more than $250,000 for vulnerable populations in northern Colorado.

Besides Catholic Charities of Larimer County, this year's Empty Stocking recipients include the Food Bank for Larimer County, House of Neighborly Service, Crossroads Ministry of Estes Park, Catholic Charities of Weld County, Connections for Independent Living, Greeley Transitional House and Weld Food Bank.

The project runs through Dec. 31.

New Mission services

Catholic Charities of Larimer County is an agency that gets a lot of mileage out of each dollar donated. The organization, part of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Denver, has a small paid staff – about 20 – but a huge cadre of volunteers – about 250 at last count. Every day, volunteers come to the shelter and fix dinner for the clients. They do the cooking, using donated food from the Food Bank for Larimer County; they also serve the meal and do the cleanup.

Because of ever-increasing need, Catholic Charities has recently added new services to its already busy schedule. The Mission now serves lunch seven days a week. Anyone from the community is welcome to come for lunch, as well as breakfast on Saturday and Sunday.

As of Oct. 1, the organization has partnered with the Sister Mary Alice Murphy Center for Hope to offer daytime services throughout the year. With this new project, called the Homeless Day Services Initiative, people are able to use both facilities to rest, do laundry, get a break from inclement weather and find support from others in similar circumstances.

Another new service is focused on military veterans. Just before Thanksgiving, Catholic Charities began offering transitional housing for veterans, a program that will allow as many as 14 vets to live in a separate part of the shelter for up to four months, with possible extensions of six more months. The program began with two veterans on Nov. 18.

The transitional housing program is part of a Veterans Administration push to end homelessness among veterans. Most of the funding will come from the VA.

The new program is a logical extension of Catholic Charities' services, Good said, since 10 to 15 percent of its shelter clients are veterans. It will help veterans move into "stable, independent living situations," he stated. "Many of them have post-traumatic stress disorder or addiction problems. Some have just had bad luck."

The veterans' program is housed in the shelter's addition and will not affect general shelter capacity. It's a very structured program, offering such things as personal finance classes, help with job searches and assistance in finding permanent housing. There is also a facilitated veterans support group. The goal is for the veterans to find employment while in the program and to begin saving money for their own lodging.

The transitional housing program will help men like Michael Smith, a 43-year-old Army veteran now staying at the Mission. Smith, who served in West Germany in the late 1980s just before the end of the Cold War, has had numerous life challenges due to alcoholism and mental health issues. He's done well at many jobs, but they haven't lasted. Over the years, he's bunked at several different homeless shelters.

Smith has now been sober for three years, and he's ready to make a fresh start in his life. His goals are to earn a degree in construction management and to help build more affordable housing in the community. He has received valuable help at the Catholic Charities Mission, and he wants to give back.

"I would like to be of service to my fellow man," Smith said.

Veterans interested in the new housing program should contact the VA Medical Center in Cheyenne, 888-483-9127, to determine eligibility.

Emergency assistance

Meanwhile, the holiday season – like every season – is busy at Catholic Charities. Besides serving thousands of meals, staff and volunteers provide many other services to the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless. The Emergency Assistance Program helps with prescriptions, transportation and utilities.

"There's so much need for help with utilities during the winter," Good noted, and the program relies heavily on donations. The staff also helps people acquire needed forms of identification.

The Senior Outreach Program enables seniors to stay in their homes as long as possible. This program refers seniors to helpful resources, assists with oxygen needs and provides friendly visitors to lessen the sense of isolation often felt by seniors.

All of these programs cost money, so holiday donations are important. Donations to the Empty Stocking Fund, Good said, "will help us do things for which there is a clear need."